Clayton Oliver misses Dwayne Russell's top six Brownlow contenders

Clayton Oliver has been left out of Dwayne Russell’s top six Brownlow Medal contenders for the 2026 AFL season, despite his strong performances. Russell, a senior analyst for SEN, ranked Nick Daicos, Marcus Bontempelli, Isaac Heeney, Jordan Dawson, Luke Jackson, and Zak Butters above the Melbourne midfielder in his latest predictions.

Why Oliver didn’t make the cut

Russell acknowledged Oliver’s impressive season but placed him in a second tier of contenders. 'Clayton Oliver, despite how good he's been this year, I don’t think is at that level,' Russell said on *SEN Afternoons*. The analyst suggested that while Oliver has been influential, he falls short of the elite group led by Daicos and Bontempelli.

Who made Russell’s top six?

Nick Daicos, the Collingwood star, topped Russell’s list, with Bontempelli close behind. The Western Bulldogs captain has finished second twice before and could face another runner-up finish. Isaac Heeney, Jordan Dawson, Luke Jackson, and Zak Butters-though injured-round out the top six. Russell noted a clear gap between these players and the rest of the competition.

What’s next for Oliver?

Despite missing the top six, Oliver remains a key player for Melbourne. His exclusion from Russell’s elite group highlights the depth of talent in the 2026 AFL season. With several rounds remaining, Oliver still has time to push his Brownlow case, though he’ll need to outperform the likes of Daicos and Bontempelli to secure votes.